Sand-Veil

Summary

Sand Veil is a Pokémon ability introduced in Generation III.

Effect:

• During a sandstorm, this Pokémon's evasion is increased by 1.25×.
• The Pokémon does not take damage from sandstorms, regardless of its type.
• The evasion bonus does not count as a stat modifier, meaning it is not affected by moves or abilities that alter stat changes.
• Overworld effect: If the lead Pokémon has this ability, the wild encounter rate is halved in a sandstorm.

In Battle:

• Sand Veil provides a defensive advantage by making the Pokémon harder to hit during sandstorm conditions.
• It is particularly useful in teams that use sandstorm as a weather condition, often with abilities like Sand Stream.
• The increased evasion can sometimes cause opponents to miss crucial attacks, potentially altering the battle's outcome.
• The immunity to sandstorm damage allows these Pokémon to maintain health while other non-Rock, Ground, or Steel-type opponents take damage each turn.

Pokémon with this Ability:

• Sandslash (standard ability)
• Dugtrio (Hidden Ability)
• Garchomp (Hidden Ability)
• Cacturne (standard ability)
• Several other Ground, Rock, or related types often found in desert environments

Competitive Use:

• Sand Veil is occasionally used in competitive play, particularly on sandstorm teams.
• It synergizes well with Pokémon like Tyranitar or Hippowdon, which can create sandstorm conditions.
• While sometimes considered unreliable due to its dependence on weather conditions, it can be game-changing when opponents miss key moves.
• The ability's evasion boost can be controversial in competitive formats, with some communities banning it due to its potential to introduce an element of luck.

Interesting Facts:

• Sand Veil's design reflects the idea of Pokémon blending into sandstorms, drawing on the natural camouflage of desert-dwelling creatures.
• It has been a subject of debate in competitive circles due to its evasion-boosting properties, which some players consider to introduce too much randomness into battles.
• Despite its potential, Sand Veil is less commonly seen in top-tier competitive teams compared to more consistently powerful abilities.
• The ability is often highlighted in Pokémon media and games set in desert regions, emphasizing its thematic connection to sandy environments.